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IDA Ireland’s second ‘Special Recognition Award’ recognising the contribution of our clients to Ireland was presented by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and IDA Ireland to Google and accepted by its CEO Sundar Pichai, at a special ‘Building The Future Together’ event in California this morning.
CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan said: “Google is a very deserving recipient of this year’s Special Recognition Award. The company’s expansion in Ireland over the last 20 years is a story that has travelled across the world.”
“These are important relationships to mark, and it is important that we celebrate the huge contribution our 1700+ FDI companies have made to Ireland. Foreign Direct Investment continues to be a substantive driver of the Irish economy. Our client companies in Ireland have demonstrated longevity, resilience and continued commitment, creating jobs – the numbers directly employed in the multinational sector in Ireland is at an all time high of 275,384 (11% of the Irish labour force) – and delivering enormous benefits to the national and regional economies. In making this award, we are also recognising the achievement that is Ireland’s proven ability to be an enduring partner for businesses with international ambitions. It is also an opportunity to showcase internationally the level and sophistication of FDI in Ireland.”
Google opened a small office in Ireland in 2003 and has invested significantly in Ireland over the past 20 years, including over €1.5 billion in the past five years. Google Ireland, as the company’s EMEA HQ, now has a workforce of over 9,000 and serves as a hub for dozens of functions and teams supporting Google’s global operations. This includes almost 1,000 engineers working across site reliability and software engineering functions.
This award is also an appreciation of the work that everyone at Google in Ireland does in helping bring the company continue to succeed and providing support for customers around the world. It also recognises Google’s commitment to Ireland.
Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar said: “I’m really happy to present Google with this Special Recognition Award and sincerely thank Sundar and the team for their continued commitment to Ireland. From a team of 100 in 2003, to over 9,000 today, Google has made an outstanding contribution to our country. I do not underestimate the role the company has played in enhancing our reputation and attracting further investment to our shores. This Award is a good opportunity to thank the Google team and recognise their contribution.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet said: “Over almost two decades, Google and Ireland have worked together to advance Irish innovation and develop helpful tools to support the growth of small businesses. It is an honor to accept this award. We look forward to working together to develop Irish talent and make technology part of a strong future for every Irish community.”
Tánaiste addressed the audience of invited guests drawn from IDA client companies, key stakeholders, business people as well as some Google and IDA Ireland employees and presented the award to Sundar Pichai alongside Martin Shanahan.
IDA said that the event would showcase internationally Ireland as a location for FDI and focus on the excellent Irish Tech talent that is available.
Employees with full autonomy to choose where they work are happier in their job, yet only one in five are currently able to do so. And though 60% of all employees prefer hybrid working, only 39% are able to flexibly split their time between the home and office.
This is according to Jabra’s 2022 edition of the Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report. Carried out amongst 2,800 knowledge workers across six countries worldwide, the report analyses employee sentiments and motivations around the physical workspace in this hybrid working era.
Employees say that being able to decide where and when they work positively impacts their wellbeing, happiness, and productivity levels. As hybrid working is driving the reconstruction of physical working spaces, employers need to rethink their overall working models to ensure effective collaboration and employee satisfaction.
Work from home (WFH) or work from office (WFO)
We are entering the next stage of the hybrid working journey and employees have seen that a vast majority of them still excel at their jobs regardless of where they are. At a time when several large companies are calling for a return to the office, many employees are calling for more power to determine their own work arrangement and decide if they want to WFH or WFO. The majority (53%) of employees who have full autonomy to choose where they work are currently working a hybrid workweek.
In addition, employees with full control over their work arrangement (where/when) unanimously report a higher work experience score (76%) than their medium (66%) and low autonomy (58%) counterparts. These differences are most apparent when it comes to feeling a sense of belonging, productivity, trust in leaders, work-life balance, and mental wellbeing. Globally, there is also a split in opinions across generations, as Gen Z and Millennials are more reluctant to work full time in the office, with only 19% preferring a full office week, compared to 26% of Gen X and 30% of Boomers.
Autonomy will be an essential part of improving employees’ satisfaction and engagement at work and key to stabilising the foundational pillars of organisational culture and success.
Office redesigns must be about more than physical spaces
Organisations are redesigning offices for collaboration, but the report shows that there are further considerations to bear in mind. Across all types of workers, there’s a desire to have a dedicated personal space in the office. Almost four in ten workers (37%) say they’d feel less loyalty and commitment to their company if they didn’t have a regular, permanent workspace. Meanwhile, seven in ten (71%) workers confess they’re creatures of habit: if they didn’t have a regular, permanent workspace in the office, they would still try to sit and work in the same spot every day.
In addition, Jabra’s data shows that almost nine in ten meetings (87%) are now either fully virtual or hybrid, with only 13% happening fully in person. As such, leaders will need to think very carefully about how virtual collaboration technologies can help employees feel a sense of belonging both in the office and outside of it.
The rise of the “anywhere office”
Gen Z represents a generation not only of digital natives, but also of hybrid natives. Many began their professional career during the pandemic, so remote and hybrid work is all they’ve ever known. As such, 64% of Gen Z globally consider their “office” to be their laptop, headset, and wherever they can get a strong internet connection. This highlights the growing importance of technology in defining the employee experience.
These hybrid natives are also twice as likely as Millennials, and almost three times as likely as Gen X, to say that their usual workspace is a “third space,” such as a co-working space, café, or library. As Gen Z continues to take up a larger proportion of the workforce, organisations must understand these key generational differences in location preferences in order to attract the best talent and thrive in a work-from-anywhere future. Only by providing employees with relevant technology and support can they maintain productivity, employee wellbeing, and the reputation of true professionalism from any environment.
Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra, said: “We’re two years into the greatest work experiment of all time. What began as a necessary shift to remote work has evolved into a long-term exploration of hybrid ways of working. As we enter the third year of this new era of work, we must think about hybrid work and our physical working spaces differently to retain and attract talent. Leaders need take a step back to ask, listen, and understand what employees truly need to enhance their hybrid work experience. Critically, we need to find a way to create a sense of belonging to a workplace that is virtual first. Give employees the power to choose their desired working space and offer them the technology, tools, and support to be productive no matter their environment. Let’s move beyond thinking solely in terms of WFH or WFO to a work-from-anywhere future.”
Public sector bodies and private sector companies have been urged to prioritise digital accessibility, after a new report showed that 72% of leading Irish companies do not have accessible websites. The first Digital Accessibility Index for Ireland, published by IA Labs today, found that not one sector achieved a greater than 50% accessibility pass rate.
The Digital Accessibility Index analyses websites against a range of requirements set out by an EU Directive on digital accessibility which was introduced for public sector bodies in 2020. This includes ensuring that websites are navigable for people who use screen readers, fully usable for people who only use keyboards due to having reduced motor skills and adjustable colour contrast for people with low vision. Research on accessibility was carried out by IA Labs in 2021 and 2022, with comparisons drawn between the two years.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there are approximately 600,000 people in Ireland with a disability. Inaccessible websites and digital platforms can deny people with disabilities access to online services and products.
In the retail sector, the research found that Ireland’s top five grocery retailers were classified as inaccessible as were all ten of the country’s leading online housing and rental platforms.
Separately, only one out of the country’s 20 private hospitals analysed passed the digital accessibility audit. In terms of education, not one website passed out a sample of 28 websites of Irish universities, private and public sector schools.
IA Labs, a spin-out company from NCBI, Ireland’s national sight loss agency, was established in 2021 offering consultancy and auditing services to public and private sector companies on digital accessibility. Based in Dublin, IA Labs is a market leader in the provision of digital accessibility services.
Currently, EU Regulations on digital accessibility only cover public sector bodies. Private companies are not required by law to be digitally accessible, however, this may be extended in future to cover private companies.
In the public sector, the research found 89% of Government Departments have accessible websites, with the websites of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs currently deemed not accessible.
Looking specifically at Irish political parties, only the websites of Fianna Fáil, Labour and People Before Profit are considered to be digitally accessible for all users.
Commenting at the launch of the Digital Accessibility Index, Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, said, “I welcome the publication of the first Digital Accessibility Index, developed by IA Labs. This is a really important piece of work and provides a benchmark for evaluating digital accessibility and inclusion for all citizens in this country. The findings clearly highlight where compliance with the EU Directive is falling short and, importantly, demonstrates how both public and private companies need to be proactive in ensuring their websites are usable by everyone.”
Kyran O’Mahoney, Founder of IA Labs said, “The findings of the Digital Accessibility Index highlight the need for companies and public bodies to seriously consider their digital offering. No company sets out to create an inaccessible website, but our research tells us that there needs to be a greater focus on prioritising accessibility. The fact that not one of Ireland’s top five grocery retailers has an accessible website is an example of how barriers to access can be created, negatively impacting people with disabilities.”
Chris White, CEO of NCBI said, “Society is a better place when people of all abilities are able to participate in and access it. We believe digital accessibility is necessary for creating that world and that Ireland as a hub for global IT companies should be at the forefront of digital accessibility. IA Labs was established to help and support companies and public bodies achieve this goal through its unique and comprehensive offering.”
A copy of IA Labs’ Digital Accessibility Index is available to view at: https://ialabs.ie/dai/
GrowCube is the world’s first smart watering product based on four independent soil moisture sensors and water outlets, combined with exclusive APP, aiming to provide professional and easy watering methods for gardeners. It would water plants automatically once it sensors its lacking water in soil. It would be best choice for those who have no time for watering plants because of business, travel or busy work, it is also a smart plant guider for those who are new to grow plants.
I am no plant expert and stated so in the unboxing but can see the logic behind this product and have been testing it out for a while, the whole setup in itself is simple and can be used in many ways but it is only for indoor use which is fine, so for me I had to go get some plants and get going laying out all the pipes and fittings then install the fittings and get the app up and running.
It will take some time due to the work involved but I enjoyed it as it was something new for me and any plant lover will be the same. The end result is what is great and not having to worry about your flowers which is the point of this product and with an app that allows you to control your plants needs while you are away it is for those most flourished of plant lovers especially during the Summer months when you are away this allows you to forget about your plants and at the touch of a button you can give them the water they need, time it and so on. Check out the video below for a tour and setup and see what it is all about.
How It Works
GrowCube Obtains soil moisture data for plant growth in real-time by reliable soil moisture sensors, combined with the APP which contains over 3000 kinds of plants growth humidity guidance data, keeping a comfortable growth moisture environment for variety of plants. This is the fun part, learning about plants even for beginners like me and for the more established green fingers, you can also take a photo of your plant with google lens for example and see the name of it or let it assist you in getting the right plants.
With the aid of sensor magnetic plug-and-play interface design, GrowCube is easy to use. Simple and stylish appearance matches the watering scenarios in office, home and many other places. In addition to personal use, GrowCube is also a good gift for parents, wife, or friends. We’re proud to announce that the world’s super smart plant watering product is ready, GrowCube will be your best plant care assistant!
HP Inc. has introduced HP Presence, a new portfolio of conferencing and collaboration solutions, to the Irish market for the first time. The new suite of end-to-end solutions, which includes meeting space solutions, PCs and peripherals has been designed to support better conferencing experiences. With HP Presence, people can truly work together and feel connected, even when they’re not in the same room.
While the shift to hybrid has given people freedom to work from virtually anywhere, the way people work together, both in and out of the office, is changing. To this end, HP has developed a new way of bringing together its PC hardware and software innovations, drawing on its charter for end-to-end collaboration solutions. With advanced collaboration technology embedded into HP devices, workers can feel more connected no matter where they are.
“The world of work is constantly evolving, and in order to keep up, so too must the technology that powers it. As we emerge into this new era of hybrid work, it’s apparent that the pre-pandemic technology we were all so accustomed to simply won’t solve for the way we work now,” said Neil Dover, Country Manager, Ireland at HP Inc. “Similarly, the proposed Right to Request Remote Working Bill has put a renewed focus on the need for more flexible solutions. By embedding artificial intelligence into our portfolio of innovative devices, HP Presence fits the work world of yesterday, empowers the world of today, and is future-proofed to meet tomorrow’s collaboration needs. Protected by HP Wolf Security, users can also collaborate in comfort – without compromise.”
Introducing HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions are a suite of scalable, bundled options with hardware and services for meeting spaces of any size – from huddle rooms to large meeting spaces. The meeting space solutions interact intuitively with users to provide an enhanced meeting experience and deliver useful real-time analytics back to IT. The new meeting space solutions also leverage HP’s PC security innovations such as cyber threat protection and camera privacy features, giving IT peace of mind and allowing people to collaborate without fear of being hacked.
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions create conferencing experiences that make virtual meetings more personal with AI-enhanced audio, cinematic video,and engaging controls. It is also the world’s first conferencing solution that contains ocean-bound plastics.
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions are curated into small, medium, and large space kits, and scalable to enhance meeting space needs. Every kit includes an HP Presence Mini PC, a HP Presence Control Center, colour-coded cables, and mounting equipment.[iii] The HP Presence Solutions arrive neatly packaged in the same box with a step-by-step setup application, making deployment a breeze. New components include:
HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC – High-performance processing powerhouse PC that gives IT peace of mind with HP Wolf Security for Business and integrated management.
HP Presence Control and HP Presence Control Plus – Intelligent room controls that put the meeting host in charge with sleek low-profile designs and adaptive AI-enhanced Audio by Bang & Olufsen. HP Presence Control is perfect for huddle rooms to medium-sized meeting spaces, while HP Presence Control Plus can accommodate medium to large meeting spaces. Connect up to three room controls to provide control to more people.
HP Presence See 4K AI Camera – This 4K AI camera combines intelligent cinematic audio and video experiences with privacy so users can rest assured the camera is off when it mechanically rotates to face the floor.
HP Presence Audio Video Bar – For larger meeting spaces that require more audio and video, this device combines intelligent cinematic video experiences with privacy, and audio custom-tuned by Bang & Olufsen, so people can be seen, heard, and hear clearly in the room, and when video isn’t being used, the privacy shutter closes and shuts the camera off.
HP Presence Hub and HP Presence Talk Satellite Microphones – Make sure everyone can be heard in large room deployments with HP Presence Hub, and easily add up to two satellite microphones for additional voice pickup range with an easy-to-see status LED, so people know when mute is on or off.
The HP Presence Meeting Room Space Solutions components are elegantly designed to blend into conferencing spaces while providing elevated audio and video experiences.
It is clear people are feeling the effects of working remotely. As some companies move employees back into the office part time, the change has left employees looking for collaboration experiences that give them a sense of connection. They want to be heard and seen, and don’t want to experience system lags, delays, or other audio and video-related issues. HP Presence Meeting Room Solutions empower people to:
Start meetings quickly. Upon entering a meeting room, HP Meeting Ready automatically wakes up the room control and brings the camera to life so people can begin meetings on time. Get started in seconds with one tap to launch a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting. “Guest Mode” makes it easy to launch meetings with any UC device.
Be seen clearly.HP Speaker Frame, a picture-in-picture mode, spotlights in-room speakers so everyone feels like they have a seat at the table. HP Auto Frame puts meeting room attendees into perspective by framing out white space for a better conferencing experience for remote attendees.
Move around the room without disrupting the meeting flow. HP Speaker Tracking allows speakers to move around the room while keeping them in frame. Three tracking modes – slow, cinema, fast – accommodate to different presentation styles.
Be heard clearly. When the in-room crowd gets loud, HP Auto Volume adjusts the volume for remote attendee speakers so they don’t get drowned out and can still contribute to the discussion. If an in-room speaker talks quietly, loudly, or sits in the back of the room, HP Voice Leveling optimises the volume of the in-room speaker so they can be heard clearly by remote attendees.
Request help quickly when you need it. Report a room issue in two seconds. HP Presence Room Assistant makes it easy to report room issues like device issues, missing chairs or markers, clearing catering from a room, and more to IT, facilities, or the café admin.
HP Presence conferencing system utilises HP Meeting Ready detection when people enter the room to wake the system so they can quickly start their meeting. This feature is unique to HP.
HP Speaker Frame, a picture-in-picture mode, spotlights in-room speakers so everyone feels like they have a seat at the table. This feature is unique to HP.
HP Presence Room Assistant can report missing chairs, dry markers, trash, temperature issues, and more in just seconds with just one tap. This feature is unique to HP.
IT teams are looking for solutions to keep their workforce connected, but also solve their manageability and security challenges. HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions empower IT and facilities teams to:
Easily set up and deploy for meeting spaces of any size. The tool-free, colour-coded setup with a dedicated setup app allows IT to configure and test the solution and share custom settings remotely. During setup, Bang & Olufsen room calibration creates a custom audio profile dedicated to that space based on size, shape, device placement, and additional room characteristics such as pillars or furniture. In two taps, launch HP Screen Clean to safely wipe[xi] HP Presence Control or HP Presence Control Plus without meeting disruption or interference.
Feel confident employees can collaborate securely. IT teams can ensure virtual meetings are protected from cyber-threats with HP Wolf Security for Business and know users can collaborate with strong security. IT can feel confident users’ cameras are off with HP Auto Privacy Camera.
Take control of room management. When it comes to room management, HP Presence Manager gives IT visibility to when a new update is available and gives them the control over what updates are applied to which devices and when. The devices also support Windows Update and Teams Admin Center.
Proactively resolve potential issues and maximise room productivity with intelligent insights. IT and facilities teams can improve the employee experience with visibility to device health, room issues, and experience metrics. With intelligent analytics, they can consider modifications such as revising room configurations or changing device settings. Customisable dashboards and rich reporting from HP Presence Insights[xiv] helps predict when equipment will fail, allowing IT to proactively resolve potential issues before users notice.
The tool free, colour-coded setup experience combined with the HP Setup App makes deployment easy.
Users and IT can feel confident the camera is off with HP Auto Privacy Camera. HP offers the world’s first conferencing solution smart camera with an automatic sensor-driven privacy shutter.
Launch HP Screen Clean in two taps to safely wipe HP Presence Control or HP Presence Control Plus without disrupting meetings.
Advancing Technology Enhanced by HP Presence
Technology enhanced by HP Presence leverages the best of HP technology, including IP from HP labs, as well as the company’s deep printing and imaging expertise. HP Presence is delivered through a combination of hardware and software engineering to bring audio and video experiences to a more hybrid world. HP offers products enhanced by HP Presence starting with the HP Elite Dragonfly Max and the HP EliteOne 800 G8 All-in-One.
The HP Elite Dragonfly Max and HP EliteOne 800 G8 All-in-One are the first HP PCs to be enhanced by HP Presence with innovative audio and video experiences.
HP AI-Based Noise Reduction filters not only outbound noise, but inbound noise as well.
Technology enhanced by HP Presence deliver key experiences that allow people to:
Look their best on screen no matter the lighting condition. Upgraded camera hardware with integrated lighting enhancements automatically adapts to the lighting conditions of various workspaces. Backlight adjustment detects if there is too much light coming into the camera lens and adjusts to balance out the light. Lowlight adjustment detects if the room is too dark and brightens faces so people can be seen.
Break free from their desk and move around while collaborating. HP Auto Frame focuses the camera on the user and keeps them in frame even if they get up to stretch their legs. Three modes – head only, head and shoulders, and upper body – let people choose how they want to be seen and whether they want to use their hands to help express their ideas. Dynamic voice leveling automatically adjusts voice volume so it’s consistent whether the user sits in front of their PC or moves around the room.
Hear and be heard clearly no matter the distractions or background sounds. Integrated AI-based noise reduction filters unwanted background noises like doorbells, dogs barking, and sirens from the street, so people don’t have to worry about going off mute. To minimise distractions from background noises by other meeting attendees, the noise reduction technology also filters out their unwanted incoming background noises.
Be heard clearly even when wearing a mask. HP AI-based Clear Voice uses technology to identify muffled voices and applies microphone gain to compensate and ensure your original voice is what is heard in a meeting.
Product List
HP Presence Small Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control with Audio and HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC.
HP Presence Small Space Solution plus AI Camera includes the HP Presence Control with Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence See 4K AI Camera.
HP Presence Small Space Solution plus AI Video Bar includes the HP Presence Control without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence Audio Video Bar.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control Plus with Audio and HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution plus AI Camera includes the HP Presence Control Plus with Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence See 4K AI Camera.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution plus AI Video Bar includes the HP Presence Control Plus without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence Audio Video Bar.
HP Presence Large Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and 30-meter USB-C to USB-C cable.
HP Presence Hub and HP Presence Talk Satellite Microphones.
HP Elite Dragonfly Max and HP EliteOne 800 G8 AiO with HP Presence enhancements.
CorkBIC today announces that business angel investment is thriving in Cork as it prepares to host Europe’s largest international private investment and entrepreneurship gathering next month. CorkBIC figures show that the HBAN Boole Syndicate, based in Cork, invested €2.3M in start-ups last year, up 52% on the previous year. It has now invested almost €11.5M in Irish start-ups since its inception in 2013.
The increase in investment activities has been supported by the growth of the Boole Syndicate. It now has 52 active members, up 24% from 2020. A significant proportion of the investments being made by business angels in the Boole Syndicate, managed by CorkBIC and the Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN), are in Cork companies.
CorkBIC will showcase the strength of the Irish start-up ecosystem and early-stage investment at the EBAN Congress 2022 on May 18th and 19th, in the presence of Michael Mc Grath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as Europe’s business angels meet in-person for the first time in more than two years. A number of speakers have been added to the line-up, including Anita Bhatia, Assistant Secretary-General, UN Women; Pearse Flynn, founder, EI-H2; and Terence O’Rourke, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland.
The event will feature panel discussions; networking; an awards ceremony; and a pitching competition. It will educate Europe’s business angels and entrepreneurs on key elements of successful angel investing, including exits; cross-border investing; and syndicates. Speakers and panelists will also explore the opportunities of impact investing, ESG, DeepTech for a safer Europe and the funding of new technologies such as AI, blockchain and machine learning,
Michael O’Connor, CEO, CorkBIC, said: “Cork’s economy is thriving and that is reflected in the start-up ecosystem. Some of the world’s biggest companies are based in Cork, creating a talent pool for start-ups and a knowledge pool of angel investors who can share their expertise with entrepreneurs.
“As a result, angel investment in Cork is continuing to grow year-on-year. Now is the ideal time to showcase that on a European stage and use our knowledge to help our international angel investor community to be successful. We want to show investors that world-class innovation and expansion is happening nationwide and that some Cork companies have recently delivered returns to business angels that are twelve times greater than original sums invested.”
One example of a Cork company that has received significant funding from business angels and other investment sources is Gasgon Medical. The company recently raised €2.25M as part of a funding round that was led by DBIC Ventures and included HBAN’s Boole Syndicate, Irrus Investments, and MedTech Syndicate; Spain’s AIG; and a number of private investors in the US.
The company has developed a low-cost device, Air Vault, that attaches directly to IV drips in hospitals to eliminate air bubbles. These can be fatal for patients if they enter the bloodstream and dangerous for nurses, who must break the IV line if air bubbles form, therefore exposing them to medications that can be harmful over time. Gasgon Medical will use its funding to launch in the US in Q1 2023 and grow its team from six to 10 by year-end 2022.
Vincent Forde, CEO and founder, Gasgon Medical, said:“We deliberately sought investors that would bring strategic value to our business: not just capital, but smart money. They will be invaluable as we grow the business. We are currently carrying out pilot studies in hospitals in Ireland, Europe and the US. They see it as a no-brainer solution and our aim is for every IV system worldwide to have an Air Vault attached as the de facto solution to eliminating air bubbles.
“We have a growing MedTech community in Cork and that has proved very beneficial to us as we seek funding and supports to expand. The network effect is very strong and that gives us access to investors and knowledge in the industry, which we may not otherwise have.”
Speakers at the EBAN Congress will include some of Europe’s most successful investors and super angels. Tickets can be purchased online at https://ebancongress.com/tickets/.
Cathy Bryce, Managing Director AIB Capital Markets, said: “AIB is delighted to be a sponsor of this European business angel reunion. Business angel investment is a vital source of funding for start-ups and we look forward to supporting its growth in Ireland and across Europe through this year’s EBAN Congress. With AIB’s strong commitment to ESG we’re delighted that the conference will explore the role angel investing can play in driving sustainability and encouraging more women to be represented in venture capital.’’
Roger Wallace, EY Private and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Lead, said: “As a firm who works with, and supports, some of the most exciting entrepreneurial companies both here in Ireland and internationally, EY is very excited to be collaborating with CorkBIC on this year’s EBAN congress. It has been long-awaited and we encourage both the entrepreneurial and the investor community to attend, to benefit from the valuable networking and investments opportunities that this event will create.”
Leo McAdams, Divisional Manager, Investment Services and Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland welcomes the EBAN Congress to Cork this year. The creation of innovative start-up companies is the bedrock for economic growth nationally and I welcome this opportunity to showcase the strength of the Irish start-up ecosystem to EBAN’s international investors. This event will build on our existing HBAN angel activity and will enable entrepreneurs to connect with potential investors, partners and collaborators at the Congress.”
Partners & Sponsors for the EBAN Congress are EBAN, CorkBIC, EU Commission & Invest EU Portal, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, EY Private, AIB Group, Enterprise Ireland, Irish BICs & it@Cork.
Gambling has always been around for an extended period, and it has become a popular pastime for many. In the early days, gambling was outlawed, and people practised it illegally. Nevada goes into history as the first state to legalise gambling in 1931 to curb the economic repercussions brought about by the great depression. Other countries followed suit until the mid-90s when gambling joined the internet space prompting new laws and regulations. Online gambling has taken the globe by storm, and it looks like the future of gambling as it brings in substantial amounts of revenue. For instance, online casino Canada real money2022 ranked among the top government income earners.
With online casinos becoming a thing among gamblers, countries have seen the need to allow their citizens to enjoy online casinos. Nowadays, the bulk of countries in the world has legalised gaming online. Although online gambling is a darling to all gamblers, sadly, not all countries have joined the bandwagon of legalising it. This editorial will provide in-depth coverage of where it is legal for online gambling in 2022. So keep reading if you wish to know where you can engage in your favourite online casino activities this year. You can play casino games and slots online in Ireland legally at Jackpotts Games.
Canada
Estimates indicate that over 75% of Canadians are involved in gambling, the majority of which engage in online gambling. Despite the high numbers of punters in Canada, the country has a surprisingly low number of problematic gamblers, about 2%. Online casinos hit the Canadian market in 1994. Back then, they were unpopular among the masses due to their poor graphics and low internet speeds. In addition, in the formative years of online casinos in Canada, the sector’s laws were ambiguous compared to today. These days, the Canadian criminal code allows only licensed entities to run online gambling.
Unlike in the 90s, the online gambling business has picked up to become a big industry. Seeing the potential, the Canadian government has developed online gambling sites of its own. However, it is worth noting that laws guiding online betting in Canada may differ depending on the province. Case in point, the legal age for betting in Quebec and Alberta is 18, whereas other provinces have a minimum requirement of 19 years. Overall, all online gambling activities in the country are overseen by the Canadian Gaming Association, allowing international gambling sites to operate legally in Canada.
Europe
The region has a rich gambling history, with the first-ever casino having been established in Venice in the 1600s. Europe has the lion’s share of 22.4% in the global gambling market. When online gambling became mainstream, countries in the European Union were the first to pass laws governing the sector. Until 2017, The European Commission oversaw all the online gambling undertakings among member countries. Since then, all regulations have been relegated to individual nations, provided they enforce the primary conditions expected of any online casino operating in the EU. These demands include the Know Your Customer requirements and The Fourth Anti-Laundering Directive.
Europe is home to the best gaming authorities of repute, such as UKGC and The Malta Gaming Authority, which provide user security for online gamblers. According to the European Gambling and Betting Association, revenue streams from online gambling are expected to rise by approximately 20% to a tune of $99 billion. Online gambling in Europe is phenomenal, as it is considered a safe endeavour and is legalised in most countries. Let’s look at some of them.
The Czech Republic
The United Kingdom
The Netherlands
Germany
France
Belgium
Denmark
The Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-pacific region ranks second in the global online gambling market. Its value of 11.7% is expected to grow as more favourable laws are regularly passed. The region is considered the fastest-growing market globally and is expected to hit the 50-billion-dollar mark by 2026. It is home to the gambling capital of the world, Macau. The laws governing online gambling in this region vary depending on individual countries. For instance, Thailand allows horseback racing, but all real money withdrawals are made in brick-and-mortar casinos. On the other hand, New Zealand passed the Gaming Act of 2003, allowing over 3 million gamblers to participate in all online gambling endeavours.
Regrettably, some countries in the Asia Pacific region have banned online gambling in totality to pave the way for state lotteries. Mainland China falls under this category. India only allows online sportsbook betting; all other online games are banned. It is worth noting that Asia houses the major players in the mobile technology industry, which is an essential tool used in online gambling. That, plus the unveiling of 5G internet, means online gambling in the Asia pacific will only get better. Other countries in this region where online betting is legal are.
Japan
Indonesia
The Philippines
Australia
North America
North America has a 7% share of the online betting market worldwide. In the US alone, the industry is valued at billions of dollars. It is growing exponentially at a CAGR of 11.5%, with estimates indicating that the industry will be worth over $100 billion in 2026. Online casinos in the USA are exploding, and international websites find refuge in most states where online gambling is legal. However, laws governing wagering in the US are specific to individual states. In Alabama, for instance, visiting casinos requires one to be 21 years, but horse-riding wagers can be placed by punters of 18 years of age.
In Mexico, over 76% of its people are internet users who double up as online gamblers. The rise in purchasing power among Mexicans has led to the popularity increase of online gambling. Additionally, new laws allowing international online casinos to set up shop in the country have positively transformed the sector. It is worth noting that though gambling is legal in the USA, some states still prohibit it. For example, Utah and Hawaii have a 100% ban on online gambling.
South America
Pundits consider South America the region to watch in the worldwide online gaming sector. The region has a vast population of about 420 million people and has an internet penetration rate of 73%. All these numbers translate to a potential uptake of online casinos. However, the regulations that oversee online gambling depend on individual nations. For example, Brazil and Ecuador have barred their citizens from online wagering. In most countries in Latin America, gambling laws are still a grey area. Colombia has been the only country known to legislate online gambling since 2016 properly. In addition to that, Colombians can use online betting sites from other countries.
Costa Rica is another country from this region with peculiar betting laws. Since 1922, betting has been illegal in the country. However, seeing potential in the online gambling industry, the country has allowed players to operate within their borders. There is only one catch; they must follow Costa Rican laws that ban their citizens from betting, meaning their services are available to outsiders only. Here are some other countries where online gambling is rampant in South America.
Argentina
Uruguay
Paraguay
Peru
Chile
Wrapping Up
It is evident that online gambling is becoming commonplace, and it’s where the future of the gambling industry lies. As stated above, most countries have realised this and have put measures to ensure this business thrives. However, those lagging will surely miss out on the revenues generated by online gambling.
POCO, a popular technology brand among the world’s young techies, is announcing the global launch of its latest flagship POCO F4 GT smartphone,heralding the apex of power, along with POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch – the brand’s first-ever AIoT products.
Living up to its potential, POCO F4 GT delivers an impressive apex performance with a flagship 4nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor, backed by a sophisticated LiquidCool Technology 3.0, a flat AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, magnetic pop-up triggers, and topped off by 120W HyperCharge. Meanwhile, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition offers the most immersive listening experience for smartphone users – especially mobile gamers and Genshin Impact fans – with an all-new design, AI self-adaptive noise cancellation and 28-hour ultra-long battery life . In addition, the new POCO Watch, which has more than 100 fitness modes built in, a 24-hour heart rate tracker and a battery life of up to 14 days, is designed for fitness lovers who care about their personal health and well-being.
“We are thrilled to unveil POCO F4 GT today. With such an uncompromising user experience at a surprisingly affordable price, we believe that POCO F4 GT will be the daily essential for all young tech enthusiasts, especially gamers,” said Angus Ng, Head of Product Marketing at POCO Global. “We are also very excited to launch POCO’s first expansion of its line-up of AIoT products starting with POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch. It is always our top priority to fulfil different consumers’ needs by expanding into different product offerings.”
POCO F4 GT: Apex flagship smartphone that offers unsurpassed performance
With a flagship 4nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor and an octa-core processor running at 3.0 GHz, POCO F4 GT is sure to win over the tech-savvy youth, especially hardcore gamers. The mighty Android chipset increases CPU performance by 20% and GPU performance by up to 50%. Meanwhile, POCO F4 GT offers a fully-fledged LPDDR5 RAM with up to 6400Mbps for shorter load times, along with an upgraded UFS 3.1 ROM.
The true test for a mobile gaming smartphone is heat management. Requiring a small device to run for extended periods can lead to poor performance. For this reason, POCO F4 GT is equipped with the latest LiquidCool Technology 3.0, one of the most advanced cooling systems in the industry. The 4,860mm² dual VC cooling system manages to bring down high temperatures, culminating from a powerful machine optimized to run intense gaming sessions.
To feed the power, POCO F4 GT boasts POCO’s first 120W HyperCharge and a 4,700mAh big battery, which can be fully charged in 17 minutes. And if gamers need more juice in mid-game, POCO F4 GT can replenish its battery to 100% in only 27 minutes. Not only does POCO F4 GT sport rapid recharge times, the battery’s lifespan can be optimally preserved as a benefit of its AdaptiveCharge feature. This feature prevents the battery from overcharging in the critical 80% to 100% charge range throughout the night.
Magnetic triggers pop up, standing tall in preparation for battle. The setup has surpassed expectations. The unique levitating magnetic pop-up triggers, able to handle 1.5 million times press, have been tested on more than 100 popular games. This ensures unbeatable stability, responsiveness and durability. To attain a more premium gaming experience, the CyberEngine, one of the best linear motors available on Android smartphones, offers more ranges of vibration. POCO F4 GT is ready for whatever users may throw at it, not only for the extended sessions of mobile gaming, but also for daily use. When out of gaming mode, the triggers can also be used as a shortcut for quick access on the go, such as a shortcut to activate camera, screen recording or flashlight.
At the press of a button, users can turn on the screen to be floored by POCO’s latest 6.67-inch flat AMOLED and 10-bit TrueColor display, which when combined with the responsive 480Hz touch sampling rate and the up to 120Hz refresh rate, makes the screen come to life. Whether gaming or streaming shows, the true-to-life colour spectrum leaps from the screen. POCO F4 GT also works to simultaneously maintain colour accuracy in low-light settings while using high-frequency PWM dimming to protect its users’ eyes during marathon screen time sessions. POCO F4 GT’s display has set and matched 15 display performance records from Display Mate and is rated as an A+ screen.
True to its nature as an apex of power, POCO is adding one more service to its list of inaugural features for the latest device. Users can enjoy the premium after-sales service, which offers a one time free screen repair service during the first 6 months after purchase. In addition, YouTube’s subscription service, YouTube Premium, will come pre-installed on POCO F4 GT. To sweeten the deal, customers can enjoy YouTube Premium for up to two months free. That means two months of ad-free, offline viewing, and uninterrupted access to video and music content across the YouTube platform.
First POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition: Providing the most immersive listening experience
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition are specially designed for Genshin Impact fans. From the moment the earbuds are turned on, fans will hear familiar voice notifications from the iconic character, Klee. Just pull them from their carrying case inspired by Klee’s backpack, slip them on, and become immersed as if you’ve already fired up the game.
As one of POCO’s first AIoT products, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition use artificial intelligence to automatically adjust noise cancellation settings based on the surrounding noise level and the user’s daily routine. Whether it’s for enjoying music, having a good time catching up with friends, or a hectic meeting, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition deliver the best sound quality and the most appropriate ANC mode for the user. During calls, each earbud can provide crisp and clear audio even in the noisiest of environments with an advanced AI algorithm.
POCO BUDS techbuzzireland
For a more hardcore audio performance, every sound that is delivered has been tweaked and perfected by audio professionals to create a dynamic experience. Everything from an audiobook to a rock opera is presented with sharp and clear sound. The 9mm composite dynamic driver guarantees that the user gets access to both sound processing at the most professional level, and the most authentic and detailed sound. And to never miss a beat, the earbuds’ in-ear detection feature pauses audio when they are taken out. The device is also IPX4 water resistant, preventing damage from rain, sweat and splashes.
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition are made to create an uninterrupted listening experience. The charging case can last up to 28 hours , and the buds can be charged within 10 minutes. And the charging case, which can also be charged wirelessly, while the earbuds are able to do the same in about an hour. The earbuds can also connect to two devices, allowing users to seamlessly transition between sources. This means switching between a smartphone and a laptop to join a meeting has never been easier.
First POCO Watch: The omnipotent daily fitness companion with a fashion focus
POCO Watch is the go-to choice for fitness enthusiasts looking to bring out their style and personality. With a variety of distinct colours available, POCO Watch is a cool, yet effective way to track their health. The 1.6-inch AMOLED touch display and an ultra-slim bezel lights up the screen with stunning clarity. Wearers can also stand out with more than 100 customizable watch faces. POCO Watch is more than just a fashion statement, however; it’s all about health and fitness.
To better track your fitness progress, for example, your vitals on trail runs or capturing the moment you summit a mountain, the Multi-system GPS offers greater accuracy while using one of the more than 100 exercise modes that come installed on POCO Watch. It can also detect when a user is doing a variety of activities from running on a treadmill to taking a walk outside. In conjunction with sleep monitoring function, POCO Watch monitors blood oxygen levels during sleep. Along with these functions, users can learn how best to adjust their routine for their lifestyle by POCO Watch.
POCO Watch does all this, powered by a battery that can last up to 14 days. That means it can handle all the box jumps, laps around the park, or afternoon naps. When POCO Watch’s battery runs low, simply plug it into the easy-to-carry magnetic charger and be ready for the next adventure.
Global Product Availability
POCO F4 GT will come in three colours: Stealth Black, Knight Silver, and Cyber Yellow. It will also be available in two variants: 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB.
8GB + 128GB: Recommended retail price at €599 via official e-commerce channels.
12GB + 256GB: Recommended retail price at €699 via official e-commerce channels.
Starting April 28th, POCO F4 GT will be available for purchase at an early bird price of €499 and €599 for two variants for a maximum of 7 days in different sales regions via leading e-commerce platforms.
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition will be available for purchase at a price of €69 and POCO Watch will be available for purchase at a price of €79, both via e-commerce platforms.
*Price and availability vary between markets and sales channels.
Please refer to po.co for product availability and detailed sales information in your region.
UK Product Availability
POCO F4 GT and POCO Watch will launch in UK in late May. Full pricing and availability will be published closer to the date.
Edifier® International Limited award-winning manufacturer and designer of consumer audio electronics, announce details for the MP230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – a stylish new product which matches modern hi-fi stereo with a vintage-inspired design language.
Edifier’s MP230 combines classic design aesthetics with modern smart audio to produce a well-rounded, premium Bluetooth speaker that wouldn’t look amiss on the shelves of a trendy inner-city apartment in London’s Soho or Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House in the Hollywood Hills.
Producing high audio fidelity, the MP230 is designed to help users enjoy music in comfort and escape the bustling day-to-day. The speaker includes a stereo acoustic system composed of two 48mm full-range drivers and an integrated large double passive radiator, capable of producing a frequency response of 70Hz-13KHz. Thanks to in-built Class-D digital amplifiers (with 10W + 10W RMS power output), the MP230 can reduce distortion and enhance bass frequencies bringing users an open sound field and well-rounded-yet-engaging audio experience. One thing’s for certain, it produced more than enough ‘oomph’ to fill any small-to-medium size room making it perfect for use in nearly any living space.
Combining nostalgia with ambitious form and function, Edifier’s MP230 places particular importance on material technology. Built using the most advanced production techniques and materials, aesthetically, the MP230 mixes classic ’70s chic with the minimalist tendencies of mid-century modernism, including: a beech-like finish, a multi-colour fabric mesh enclosure and gold trim. For those who appreciate sturdy and reliable build quality, the MP230 also has satisfying, piano-like keys that press with a warm and gratifying ‘click’ – a nice retro touch reminiscent of old analogue tape recorders and Walkmans.
In terms of structural design, the MP230 comes in an acoustic-friendly wooden cabinet matched with front and rear covers made of high-density resin: a material which suppresses excess vibrations during high-frequency resonance. This and the precision machining of MP230 allow it to have minimal quality loss at varying volume levels, producing impeccable sound quality across the board– one of the major advantages of this product against a crowded market of small, affordable and portable speakers.
Finally, the MP230 comes with up to 16 hours of playback time, smart-charging capabilities and multiple input options, including: stable Bluetooth v5.0, AUX, sound card and TF card.
Main Features:
Stereo acoustic system composed of two 48mm full-range drivers and integrated large double passive radiator
MDF wooden enclosure reduces acoustic resonance
2600mAh large battery capacity supports up to 16 hours of music playback under Bluetooth connection
Class-D digital amplifier with 10W+10W RMS power output
